Habitat, biology, and fisheries: Benthic to epipelagic along the continental and insular shelves. Litters from 1 to 2 young (Jones et al, 2015; Smith and Merriner, 1986; McDowell and Fisher, 2013; Fisher, 2010). Feeds primarily on hard-shelled molluscs and crustaceans. Occasionally they are observed at the surface and leaping out of the water but generally swim near the bottom in small groups.Dorsal surface uniform brown; ventral surface white to yellowish. Tooth plates with relatively long teeth compared to Rhinoptera brasiliensis. Cownose rays are not directly targeted by fisheries but they are frequently caught in tropical waters and are processed fresh or salted for human consumption. Several Chesapeake Bay restaurants are now serving Cownose ray on menu with the slogan "Eat a ray, save the bay".

Distribution: Recorded from southern New England to northern Argentina, including the Gulf of Mexico, and Cuba.